Week 13 NFL picks: Advice for Suh; credit for Bennett

Ndamukong Suh escaped his annual Thanksgiving problem with foot placement with only a $30,000 fine. He wonders why the NFL picks on him. Register columnist Earl Bloom writes the Detroit Lions defensive tackle needs to make some behavior adjustments. PHOTO BY CARLOS OSORIO, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub reacts to the Thanksgiving kick to the groin by the Lions' Ndamukong Suh. A suspension was warranted, Register columnist Earl Bloom writes, but the NFL simply fined the Detroit defensive tackle $30,000. Suh's off-field road rage should be addressed by the player himself. PHOTO BY PAUL SANCYA, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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New York Giants tight end Marcellus Bennett (85) continued his career-best season against the Green Bay Packers in Week 12. After the game, Bennett made the catch of the week when he broke the fall of a man who fell when Bennett tossed his receiver's gloves into the stands. PHOTO BY JULIO CORTEZ, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Labeled a career under-achiever in Dallas, Martellus Bennett (85) played in the considerable shadow of Jason Witten (82) with the Cowboys. A first-year Giant, Bennett has responded with career-highs of 39 catches and 455 yards. The tight end has three TDs, one shy of his Cowboys high. PHOTO BY TONY GUTIERREZ, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The best on-field catch of Week 12 was made by the Carolina Panthers' Louis Murphy, emulating David Tyree's famed Super Bow XLII grab by cradling this Cam Newton pass to his facemask against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. PHOTO BY MICHAEL PEREZ, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The NFL, unable to fully determine the intent of Suh's Thanksgiving kick to the groin of Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, fined Suh $30,000 this week, but did not give him the suspension the act surely warranted.

Suh says he's still paying the price for last Thanksgiving's stomp of fallen Green Bay Packers guard Evans Dietrich-Smith. Well, no one quickly forgave Albert Haynesworth for stepping on the face of Andre Gurode, either.

Suh's transgressions aren't limited to the field. He has driving issues as well. Here's hoping the $30K the NFL lifted from his considerable paycheck won't prevent Suh from doing the right thing and hiring a professional driver to end those traffic misadventures.

Oh, you say Suh is well-compensated, can afford nice cars and likes to drive them? Then drive better, or get off the road. Four vehicle incidents, dating to his days at Nebraska, are a definite pattern.

Consider how different Plaxico Burress' life might have been, had he hired a bodyguard to protect his person and considerable jewelry at the club, instead of shoving a loaded weapon into his waistband.

Catch of the Week: After Sunday night's Week 12 statement by New York against Green Bay, Giants tight end Marcellus Bennett tried to share some of the joy by tossing his receiver's gloves into the stands. A middle-aged man, jostling with a younger fan for the souvenirs, fell into the arms of Bennett, who says he's a certified life guard.

Bennett said he couldn't make a clean catch because a cameraman stumbled into him, but he broke the fan's fall.

Considered a career under-achiever in Dallas playing in the shadow of Jason Witten, Bennett has bailed the Giants out with career-highs in catches (39) and yards (455) – with five games remaining. New York lost two tight ends to knee injuries in the Super Bowl, so his free-agent arrival couldn't have been better timed.

Still, NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth said he got lukewarm endorsements from Giants coaches on Bennett – another reason Suh should address his public image, sooner than later.

The Game of the Week: Seattle (6-5) at Chicago (8-3): Yet another chance for Seattle to prove it can win on the road. Winner: Bears. FF note: Seahawks' pass rush on Jay Cutler provides their best chance.

The Game of the Weak: Arizona (4-7) at N.Y. Jets (4-7): You were expecting Jags-Bills, or Browns-Raiders? Winner: Jets. FF note: With rookie QB Ryan Lindley starting again for Arizona, RB Boomer Wells might add balance in second game back.

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